Cape Argus (Cape Town)
20 September 2008
The strident clamour of calls for the ANC to axe the "lame-duck" President Thabo Mbeki is far from the epithets the country's leader once enjoyed as the crown prince who became the philosopher king and was hailed as Mr Delivery.
[ See Article ]
Chiara Carter's article misses a number of points regarding President Mbeki's leadership style. Thru his leadership SA had an economic growth of 5 - 6% higher than that of USA or the UK for at least 5 - 6 years. Under him you had black empowerment, hated by whites, but wonderful for the black elites and the majority. The Black middle class doubled under his leadership
There is no South Africa leader (not even apartheid leaders) who commanded respect than President Mbeki. Even, when he disagreed with the G8 about Zimbabwe he was still the "man" the western world let speak on behave of Zimbabwe.
President Mbeki was viewed as a threat by white anglo minority "cliques" Who wanted to exploit his image as they have been doing with Former President Mandela. He helped create a more confident Africa. Africans now do not have to listen to UK, or from a small spolt and white cliques in Cape Town, South Africa. Clearly he ushered in a more bold and African style of leadership! Was he a saint...No.. a saint he was not....Did he play dirty politics with some ANC members..Yes he did!